Worst First Round MLB Draft Picks

Pitcher Bryan Bullington was the first overall pick in the 2002 MLB draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates drafted him because they felt they could sign him over other top players, even though his ranking was not high.The team's draft decision looks worse when you see Zack Greinke, Prince Fielder, Cole Hamels, Matt Cain, and B.J. Upton were also taken.

Daniel Moskos was the fourth overall pick in the 2007 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates took Moskos, a player they thought they could sign cheaply, alongside Jason Heyward and Madison Bumgarner. Moskos pitched Triple-A ball for eight seasons; he never reached the MLB.

Dewon Brazelton was drafted third overall in 2001 by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Brazelton pitched from 2002 to 2006, posting an 8-25 record and a 6.28 ERA.

Pitcher Greg Reynolds was the second overall pick in the 2006 draft. Reynolds performed well in the minors. In the majors, he played for three teams, getting a 6-11 record and a 7.01 ERA. Top pitchers like Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw were in that draft class. In February 2016, the San Diego Padres signed Reynolds to a minor league contract.

Donavan Tate, center fielder, was the third overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft by the San Diego Padres. He got a $6 million plus signing bonus. The Padres hoped for Tate, but Tate missed time following an ATV accident. He then got suspended for 50 games for breaking a drug policy. The Padres' pick got worse: the 25th pick in Tate's draft class was Mike Trout.

The New York Mets chose Shawn Abner with the first pick in the 1984 MLB draft. Abner played six years in the majors, averaging .227, with 13 homers and 71 batted in.

The New York Mets drafted Steve Chilcott in 1966, hoping he would be a power-hitting catcher. Chilcott's minor league career suffered many injuries. He finished baseball at age 24, never playing above Triple-A.

The Minnesota Twins had the second overall pick in the 2000 MLB draft, meaning they could have picked Adam Wainwright. Instead, they selected Adam Johnson. Johnson's career record is 1-3 with a 10.25 ERA. He played in the league only from 2001 to 2003.

In 1994, the Florida Marlins drafted third baseman (and quarterback) Josh Booty with the fifth overall pick. Booty played three seasons for Florida, recording 7 hits and 4 RBIs with a .269 average. After MLB, Booty played college football at LSU and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks.

Al Chambers was the first overall pickwas in the 1979 MLB draft, taken by the Seattle Mariners. However, he did not meet expectations, playing only 57 total games, batting .208, and getting two homers and eleven RBIs.

Jeff Clement, a catcher, was the third pick by the Seattle Mariners in the 2005 MLB Draft. Clement played games over four seasons, logging 14 home runs and 39 RBIs with a .218 average.

Left-handed pitcher Brien Taylor showed promise when the Yankees drafted him in 1991. Before reaching the majors, he dislocated his shoulder and tore his labrum. Surgery required for both injuries; he never fully recovered. Manny Ramirez being available in that draft makes not playing in the majors worse.

The San Diego Padres selected Matt Bush with the first overall pick in 2004. Bush never played in the majors. He faced legal issues, including felony assault, misdemeanor trespass, and disorderly conduct.Matt Bush left professional sports in 2012 after hitting a 72-year-old motorcyclist and leaving the accident scene. The Texas Rangers released him from prison in October 2015. The Rangers signed him to a minor league contract in December, despite a zero-tolerance policy.

Billy Rowell was the ninth overall pick in the 2006 MLB draft. He received a $2.1 million bonus immediately after high school. Rowell played six minor league seasons, batting .261 with 40 homers, 257 RBIs, and 50 games suspended for a failed drug test.

Danny Goodwin had a high bar set, leading him to be drafted first overall twice. The first time, the Chicago White Sox drafted him in 1971, but Goodwin chose college. The California Angels drafted him again in 1975. Goodwin played seven years in the majors, accumulating 13 homers and 81 RBIs on a .236 average over his career.

Josh Vitters was taken third in the 2007 draft. He played eight seasons in the minors. Vitters had less success in the majors.Vitters' 36-game stint was disappointing. He hit a low .121 and struck out in one-third of his at-bats.

Left-handed pitcher David Clyde was the first overall pick in the 1973 MLB draft by the Texas Rangers. Clyde debuted in the majors twenty days after his final high school game. He started 2-0 but finished 2-9, struggling with injuries. He stayed in the majors for five years, retiring at 24 without reaching his potential.

The Texas Rangers drafted left-handed pitcher Kasey Kiker with the twelfth overall pick in 2006. The Rangers wanted Tim Lincecum but picked the hard-throwing Kiker. Kiker played six seasons in the minors, where his 4.53 ERA never exceeded Double-A.

The Baltimore Orioles drafted Wade Townsend eighth in 2004. Townsend chose college at Rice University. Tampa Bay drafted him eighth overall in 2005. Townsend suffered injuries and never reached the majors. After baseball, Townsend played professional poker.

The New York Mets picked Paul Wilson in the 1994 draft. Wilson played seven seasons in the MLB and nearly ten years. Team changes and a shoulder injury hurt Wilson's career.

The 1999 MLB draft picked Corey Myers fourth overall. Myers played nine seasons in the minors. He never reached the majors. Myers batted .272, which allowed him to stay, but it wasn't enough for the majors.